Sex education lessons 'to be compulsory in primary schools'

Sex education should be compulsory in all schools in an attempt to cut teenage pregnancy rates, a Government review will conclude.

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor

6:45PM BST 17 Oct 2008

A report published next week is expected to recommend that pupils in primary and secondary schools should receive classes on the human body, sexual health and relationships.

Basic lessons are expected to be given to under-11s following claims from experts that "gradual education" stops children rushing into sex when they get older.

The review - led by Jim Knight, the Schools Minister - is set to recommend a radical shake-up of lessons amid concerns that existing provision is "patchy" across England.

The moves are likely to be opposed by family campaigners amid claims many parents oppose subjecting children to sex education at a young age.

But speaking in the House of Commons this week, Mr Knight said: "The international evidence suggests that teaching aspects of sex and relationship education before puberty has a positive effect on such things as teenage pregnancy rates. Clearly, that has to be done with a high degree of sensitivity and... the involvement of parents, with children reaching puberty at different ages. We must ensure not only that, as a society, we are comfortable with the level of detail and of education that people receive during sex education, but that we are strong on relationship education."

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Britain's teenage pregnancy rates remain among the highest in the developed world - and figures suggest sexually transmitted diseases are becoming more prevalent among children.

In a recent survey by the Sex Education Forum, a third of young people said they received poor advice on sex at school.

At present, all primary and secondary pupils have to learn about the biology of reproduction in science.

Primary schools can limit sex education to the science curriculum, but secondary schools must go further, covering issues such as relationships and sexually transmitted diseases.

Many choose to include it as part of personal, social and health education lessons, although the subject is not a compulsory part of the National Curriculum.

Mr Knight said he had received "many strong representations" for making PSHE statutory at all ages to address the problem.

"It is important that we as a society allow better sex and relationship education in both primary and secondary schools without sexualising young people too early," he said. "It is right to share the responsibility between home and school. It is not something that schools can deliver on their own - parents need to have a loud voice in how sex and relationship education is delivered for their children. As a Government we put the safeguarding of children as our highest priority and we will continue to do so."

Earlier this year, leading charities including the Sex Education Forum and Brook, the sexual health advice service, called for lessons to be compulsory in all schools. Both organisations are taking part in the Government review.

But also speaking in the Commons this week, Sir Patrick Cormack, Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, said: "Whatever may be done in secondary schools, is there not something deeply disturbing about a society in which young primary school children can be taught the mechanics of sex by those who are not allowed to put a comforting hand on their shoulders?"